English and McPhillips progress to 800m semi-finals as Mawdsley bows out of 400m

LAST UPDATE | 14 hrs ago

IRELAND’S MARK ENGLISH and Cian McPhillips have progressed to the 800m semi-finals at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

McPhillips won his heat in 1:44.91. The Longford 23-year-old produced a superb run to see off some big hitters and prevail.

English finished third in his, the Letterkenny man clocking 1:45.13.

The top three qualified from each of the seven heats, along with the three fastest non-automatic qualifiers, with remarkable depth across the field.  

“That went very well,” McPhillips told RTÉ Sport’s David Gillick afterwards. “It kind of helped that the lads hauled us round on a quick enough 400. I was confident we were going to get the fastest loser spots anyway, but great to get the win.

“A huge confidence boost because that was a tough enough heat, when you’re going up against Australian and American record holders. It’s pretty good, yeah.”

“You’ve just got to stay chill in these things,” he continued. “Maybe I’ve erred in the past, blowing it too early. Held back this time, I didn’t panic when guys were jostling and pushing in front of me. It all worked out. You’d be surprised how long 120 is to go in an 800 when guys are dying, it’s the longest 100 of the event. Thankfully it all worked out. 

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“Hopefully I can refresh now and get a good PB in the semis, it would be idea.

“I had an inkling it was coming, training was going well. I haven’t really been able to show it in some fast races, I’ve been winning the last couple of races. But I’m delighted with that, a huge confidence booster.”

English also spoke to Gillick before the RTÉ cameras. “I’m through to the semis, I would have liked to have got second, probably would have got a better draw for the semi-final but you’ve got to go with what you’ve got.

“It was relatively quick I think through 400. It opened up nicely for me on the last lap. Emmanuel Wanyonyi is Olympic champion, he’s a really good calibre of athlete so it was always going to be tough to beat him, but it was a good race.

“I was (looking up at the big screen). I just wanted to see was anyone coming, it usually helps me. The Italian kid came out of nowhere, you can’t really do anything about that unfortunately. It is what it is, I’ll get ready now for the semi-final on Thursday.”

Sharlene Mawdsley later finished eighth in her 400m semi-final, clocking 51.22 to bow out in 20th overall.

Running from Lane 3, the Tipperary woman dug deep but fell from fifth on the home straight as USA superstar Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone cruised to victory in a world leading time and American record of 48.29.

Mawdsley was one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers, having finished fourth in her heat on Sunday. 51.04 was her second fastest time of the year.

“Look, I’m actually proud of that,” she told Athletics Ireland afterwards.

“This year was never smooth sailing. It’s where I’m at. I’m not gonna fool myself and think I’m capable of making that final right now because I’m not.

“I made the European final last year, that’s obviously where I want to be next year, working my way up the ranks. It made me really hungry. I know I was in such good shape earlier this year, and I know I’ll just go back into winter, put that solid work in and hopefully next year I can produce what I know what I’m capable of.”

“There’s been times in races that when things aren’t going well, I want to drop out at 200m. This year, I’m fighting to the line. I’m hurting but I’m fighting my way through and I think that’s something I have to be proud of,” she added.

“It’s hard, it’s not easy to step out on that line, knowing you’re not in the shape you want to be in. But getting it done, it’s making me stronger each race and I look forward to what I can do in the future.”

Mawdsley’s attention now turns to the Women’s 4x400m Relay heats on Saturday, after the Mixed Relay failed to reach the final over the weekend.

Sarah Healy is the final Irish athlete in action this afternoon, contesting the Women’s 1500m final at 2.05pm.

Meanwhile, David Kenny has been forced to withdraw from the Men’s 20km Race Walk on Sunday due to recent illness.

“Despite his best efforts, Saturday’s race will come too soon for Kenny who will now focus on recovery,” reads a statement from Athletics Ireland.